Srikakulam: A day after being transferred, Superintendent of Police Venkata Ratnam and Rahul Dev Sharma cried foul and said allegations of “favouring the ruling TDP” levelled by the YSR Congress party against them are false.
Giving clarification the two police officials wrote to Andhra Pradesh Chief Election Officer (CEO).
Calling for justice, Ratnam in his letter said, “It has been brought to my notice that V Vijaysai Reddy, National General Secretary, YSR Congress party made a complaint to EC on 25 March. I state that the allegations are false. On March 18, I was in my office throughout the day. I called for a crime meeting with all officers before lunch and post-lunch; we had a review meeting on Left Wing Extremist affected areas with officers working in those areas. Thus, I did not go out of my office the whole day. On March 18, I did not receive any phone call/information from anybody on this incident."
"I request you to cause whatever enquiry you deem fit and either punish me if I'm found guilty or take necessary action against the person(s) who made these false allegations against me," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sharma said, "I came to know that some YSRCP leaders complained to the EC and a drastic step was taken by the EC on their complaint. I do not know based on what allegations EC took this decision."
The ECI on Tuesday transferred three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Andhra Pradesh after YSRCP leaders accused them of working in favour of Naidu-led TDP.
The ECI issued orders transferring Intelligence Director General AB Venkateswara Rao, Kadapa Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Dev Sharma and Srikakulam SP Venkata Ratnam.
The ECI in its order attaching all three IPS officers stated that their immediate subordinates will take charge.
Also, the three officers were asked to not take-up any election-related duty.
The election to 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to be held on April 11 simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
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